Help thousands of little insects in my water but

pompeii

I know this isnt money saving but i'm hoping someone out there can help. I have thousands of tiny black insects in my water but, they look like mini tadpoles they are alive and swimming. This has only happened over the last week or so. We have finally connected the water but to the guttering downpipe and so consequently have a very full water but, with all the rain we've had lately.

Could they be mosquito larvae and if they are will they grow up into nasty bitey things. :think:

Lotus-eater

Thats exactly what they are, either put a lid on it, or according to bob flowerdew, you can put a goldfish in there, which will eat them, or, a few drops of oil on the surface will do it as well.

jabba4

I always put my goldfish in the waterbutt or tubs of water in the garden while I clean their tank. They love the little blighters.

If you use oil make sure it's not motor oil ! Vegetable oil will do it.

pompeii

Lotus-eater & jabba4, thank you both :T , i don't have any goldfish so thanks for pointing out that vegatable oil will work, I have dropped some in both water butts and am now going round thew garden looking for any other pools of standing water.

gazza975526570

i have these as well -noticed them the other day - is that definately what they are?

jabba4

It's almost a dead cert that that is what they are. They don't need much water, I've found them in the kids toy cups and saucers in the garden.

Alternatively, you can just tip the water out if it's only a small amount. The larvae need to be in water to live.

naturally_2

You can keep a goldfish or 2 in there permanently if you are always going to have water in there. They don't tend to need feeding, and they keep it clean of bugs and gunk too. Just make sure they can't get stuck or sucked down if you have one with a tap thingy at the bottom and obviously keep some water in there at all times.

Mozzies have a 24 hour life, so you can break the cycle nicely if you get rid of the lavae.

Davesnave

naturally wrote: »

You can keep a goldfish or 2 in there permanently if you are always going to have water in there. They don't tend to need feeding, and they keep it clean of bugs and gunk too.

Personally, I like to keep our goldfish in a more stimulating environment than a water butt, just as we keep our ferrets in a nice run, rather than the milk churn that farmers would put them in in ye olde days. It all depends on your perception of what animals are for, I suppose.

Goldfish are members of the carp family, so are definitely smarter than most people imagine. They also appreciate a varied diet.

Oh, and they will poo in your water butt too, of course.:rotfl: